Back Defender

[Echos13]

I got my Back Defender inner suspenders today. Will be trying them out in the next few weeks. Will let everyone know how they work out. I am rather excited about these things. I hope they do what they are advertised to do, since we can't wear outer ones it will nice to get the "load off".

[Trunk Monkey]

link please?

[flashlightcop509]

http://www.backdefensesystems.com/Se...lts.asp?Cat=36

Looks pretty good, the price is somewhat scary IMO...

I do like the choice of keeper finishes. I might just consider this seeing as my belt weighs around 8 pounds give or take...

Echos13, how much does your duty belt weigh?

[Trunk Monkey]

Looks pretty good, the price is somewhat scary IMO.

I've seen enough people screw up their backs from wearing a duty belt that it seems like cheap insurance at the price.

[flashlightcop509]

True, but YOU get to be the one to tell my Wife I'm spending $200 on a belt support

[Echos13]

http://www.backdefensesystems.com/Se...lts.asp?Cat=36

Looks pretty good, the price is somewhat scary IMO...

I do like the choice of keeper finishes. I might just consider this seeing as my belt weighs around 8 pounds give or take...

Echos13, how much does your duty belt weigh?

It depends on my post assignments; I'm a rover. But at best it's about 13 pounds, the gun weighing in at the most. But I am wearing it mostly to take the pressure off an old tri-marathon injury, but it will help the back as well. So far it's requiring some getting use to in regards to putting it on, it's not difficult. It just requires adjusting your dress routine. Yeah $200 is a lot for suspenders; but it beats chiropractors, daily intakes of Ibuprofen and having to sleep on one side after a 10 hour day of one's side feeling like it's on fire.

[Echos13]

The first week of using TBD was uneventful but not without the usual things of getting use to something attached to your uniform whether inside or out. The first thing I will tell you is that it does require finagling in setting it up and fitting it to your body. It's not really to different than outside suspenders, but it is a little more complicated in straps, harnesses and adjustments. I felt like I was putting on a skydiver or spelunking harness for the first few days. The tucking in of the uniform shirt was the most focused of the fitting, it will become second nature once you are use to it. My advice is to sit down on the edge of the bed while doing this, then put on your duty belt. But some of you that might get TBD might be able to do everything standing up. What was pleasantly surprising is that they called me and wanted to know more about my needs regarding TBD, I suggest calling them before you order if you want. They seem to have a good customer service attitude.

My second week become a little more fluid, but the shirt top always seemed to require some extra work now and then. I am sure you all have got ready for work and nothing seemed to fit right that day despite doing it a hundred times a year. It was always the tucking in of the uniform shirt for me. Now they will provide two options of lower V loops for you, short and long. The short one is for people with smaller waist lines or have a short mid section between the legs and upper body. This is to prevent the ends from poking into the top of your legs when sitting down. The only drawback with the shorter v sections is that your shirt tail will not tuck all the way flush and might bunch up in the v fold. I suggest cutting a slit in that section of the shirt (if you can or allowed to do so), maybe have it sewed to prevent unweaving.

The most one would notice when starting to wear it is the weight is now if you excuse the pun on your shoulders. But not in the sense of being uncomfortable, but it will require getting use to the feeling. One of the coworkers has started wearing it now and he has a problem with a slightly slouched shoulder due to a combat injury. The one side will try to slide a little and he had to make adjustments to the cross harness strap. With me I had to get some socks, cut the ends off and fold them over. Then slip them over the shoulder harnesses to take the pinch out of them. I wear a light fabric undershirt during the summer so the nylon harness might bite into some people.

However into the second week the purpose of getting TBD has proven so far worth it. I no longer feel the pressure on my injured nerve on my side that resulted from my marathon bike days. And I am not always adjusting my belt every time I turn around (shifting, sliding, pulling, etc.). Now the one thing that might be an issue for some people is hygiene habits, trips to the bath room. Getting it undone is easy and you sit down and go. Your duty belt has to come off, some people can hang it to each side which I can't, others wrap it about their shoulders which I have done it there is no hanger or safe place to put it. When you're done your back to the redressing routine, which will either be no biggie to some or a pain to others. I guess it depends on how nimble you are and patient.

But in my circumstances I was willing to put up with the extra fuss of using TBD. It might not work for everyone, so far it is for me. But if I could have outside suspenders or a shoulder strap again I would do it. But sense those options are not possible TBD so far has helped me go through the shift a little easier.

Now if I could get some Red Wing's in shiny black for duty shoes that would be perfect!

[A2012SC]

I was thinking of buying one of these rigs. Anyone heard anything good or bad about them?

http://www.duckbilllaw.com/

[flashlightcop509]

The duckbill setup looked promising, right up until the prices...

To get that system with every duty belt item I currently have, it would cost $493.00 before shipping

The Back Defender looks a lot more affordable now...